A Dublin dentist has been named the Sensodyne Sensitive Dentist of the Year 2016.

Dr Danny Collins from the Docklands Dental Clinic on Mayor Street Lower was nominated by patient Patrick Peppard for the award.

Mr Peppard nominated Dr Collins for his 'kindness and compassion' in treating him for extensive dental work free-of-charge during an extremely difficult time in his life when his daughter was terminally ill.

"I explained that my-self and my wife had spent the previous 14 months living in Crumlin Children’s Hospital with my sick daughter, who was terminally ill, while also trying to juggle work and home life and look after our two young boys.

"Without me asking Dr. Collins told me that he and his business partner Dr. Gregg Barry in the practice would provide the treatment at no charge given the tough year I had come through.

"I was literally moved to tears. I had wanted to show my appreciation in some way but had no idea how to go about it.

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"The awards gave me the opportunity to acknowledge on some level the kindness shown to me and the amazing dental treatment I received.”

Dr Collins said he was "honoured" to receive the award.

"Clinical and professional treatment is our top priority but it also important to have empathy with patients when you pick up on a matter such as stress in a patient’s life during clinical examination," he said.

"I was happy to be in a position on this occasion to make life a little less stressful for the patient given what he had just come through.”